Monday, May 30, 2011

Kidd is making history at 38-years-old

By Anthony Caruso III

Who knew Jason Kidd would make NBA Finals history tomorrow.

Kidd, at 38-years-old, will become the oldest guard to start in the NBA Finals when the Dallas Mavericks take on the Miami Heat. Kidd is two years older than Ron Harper when he started for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.

Kidd hopes for the same result that Harper had in 2000. Harper won the NBA Championship with the Lakers in 2000 after the Lakers beat the Indianapolis Pacers in Game 6 of the Finals that year.

With a win, Kidd would be the oldest to ever win a championship in NBA history, too.

Thrashers sale could be official tomorrow

By Anthony Caruso III

The Atlanta Thrashers could be defunct as early as this week.

The Thrashers ownership group are in talks with True North Sports and Entertainment to relocate the team to Winnipeg. The NHL hopes to announce the deal with no hockey taking place, which makes tomorrow a likely candidate to make the deal official.

The deal has complexed legal details since the team is being relocated. It would be the second time the Atlanta area lost a team to Canada, as the Atlanta Flames became the Calgary Flames in 1980.

"The only time we move is when we don't have a choice, and that typically happens when nobody wants to own a club there anymore," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "The prospect of leaving Atlanta isn't something that I'm particularly fond of. So I can't even contemplate the notion of what would happen after that in terms of coming back. We respect the importance of Atlanta as a city. It's a big market, but this is a franchise that's got a problem in that market."

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Baker to be placed on the 15-day disabled list today

By Anthony Caruso III

The Chicago Cubs are expected to be without Jeff Baker for the next couple of weeks.

Baker is expected to be placed on the 15-day disabled list on Memorial Day. Baker has been dealing with a groin injury.

Baker was considered to be day-to-day, but has suffered a setback. He was able to pinch hit on Friday, prior to the set back.

The Cubs are expected to replaced on the active roster by DJ. LeMahieu.

Collie is not retiring after having three concussions last season

By Anthony Caruso III

Austin Collie is not retiring from the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL.

There has been reports that Collie would retire after suffering three concussions last season. Collie has summarily dismissed that speculation.

Collie thought long and hard about retiring after the season. But since the end of the season, Collie has allegedly not had any problems with post-concussion-like symptoms.

"I didn't even entertain the thought of not coming back," said Collie. "I think the media made their own stories as far as what I was going to do. But I always knew I was going to come back."

Eagles are interested in Buress, a convicted felon

By Anthony Caruso III

Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles are interested in another convicted felon.

The Eagles are indeed interested in free agent Plaxico Burress. This report was first reported by the New York Daily News a week ago, but the Eagles denied the report until now.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid has always been impress with Burress' ability. Reid also likes that Burress can beat any coverage with his size.

When Burress was with the Giants, he played in eight games against the Eagles. In those games, Burress had 650 yards and seven touchdowns.

Burress will be working out for teams once he gets released from jail next month. Burress has been out of football for two years, and will be in his mid-30's, if a team does sign him.

J.R. Smith gets a ticket for driving without a valid license on a scooter

By Anthony Caruso III

J.R. Smith was cited for driving without a license.

Your assumptions would be that Smith would be driving a car at the time of this ticket. However, that was not the case. He was cited for driving a scooter without a valid license in Miami.

Early reports said that Smith was arrested, but those were later proved wrong. Smith was just given a ticket.

This ticket would affect Smith's status on free agency once the NBA agrees to a new collective bargaining agreement.

Pistons are not expected to make a decision on Kuester until this week at the earliest

By Anthony Caruso III

The Detroit Pistons are still undecided about their head coaching position.

John Kuester is the current Pistons head coach. Kuester just completed his second season with the team. He replaced former Pistons head coach Michael Curry in July 2009.

Kuester signed a three-year deal with the Pistons in 2009. Since the end of the season, Kuester has not spoke with Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars since the end of the season.

No official statement is expected to come until the Pistons are officially sold to Los Angeles-based Tom Gores. Gores could gain full control of the team this week.

Nuggets hope to re-sign Nene this summer

By Anthony Caruso III

The Denver Nuggets hope to re-sign one of their big men this off-season.

The Nuggets have made it a priority to re-sign Nene. Nuggets head coach George Karl has stated that he's optimistic that Nene will re-sign with Denver this summer.

Nene is expected to be a hot commodity once he enters the free-agent market. But this is a significant vote of confidence by the Nuggets to express their interest in Nene.

He said recently that the Nuggets "Don't realize all of the sacrifices I made ... When you don't feel appreciated, it's hard."

Monday, May 23, 2011

Kozon is going back to Europe to play professional volleyball

By Anthony Caruso III

The reigning Sun Belt Volleyball Player of the Year has signed a professional contract.

Izabela Kozon, a former Middle Tennessee State volleyball player, has signed with Volley Koniz of the Swiss First Division. Kozon will be playing this fall for Volley Koniz.

The Swiss First Division will play for the CEV Cup. The Swiss First Division is made up of the top volleyball teams in Europe.

Kozon is a native of Poland and was also named 2010 AVCA All-American.

"I'm very excited about starting my career," Kozon said. "It has always been my dream to play professionally. Volley Köniz is one of the top teams in Switzerland, and the opportunity to play for a CEV Cup next season is huge. I can't wait."

St. Louis & Springfield Cardinals donate $25,000 to the Convoy of Hope disaster team

By Anthony Caruso III

The St. Louis Cardinals are trying to give back to its devastated nearby community.

The Cardinals have announced that with their minor league affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals, they will make a $25,000 donation to the Convoy of Hope disaster relief agency. The money will be give to the families that were affected by the tornadoes that hit the Joplin, Missouri area.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Joplin in the wake of this terrible tragedy,” said Bill DeWitt III, the President of the Cardinals.

The Springfield Cardinals will be also collecting donations before each game of their current home stand at Hammons Field. The official Springfield Cardinals check presentation will be made on Friday night.

“It is times like these that we need to come together as a community,” said Matt Gifford, Vice President and General Manager of the Springfield Cardinals, “These are our friends and our neighbors.”

Pedroia injured, but will return to the BoSox lineup on Wednesday

By Anthony Caruso III

Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is fine after leaving Monday night's game.

Pedroia jammed his left ankle when he stumbled into second base. It looked like it was serious, prior to these reports coming out that he's fine.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said after the game that Pedroia was not schedule to play on Tuesday. Francona had already scheduled to give Pedroia an off day prior to this incident.

Pedroia is expected to return to the Red Sox lineup on Wednesday.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Former Mets catcher Carter has four brain tumors

By Anthony Caruso III

The New York Mets received sad news Saturday from one of its former players.

The Mets learned that Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter has been diagnosed with brain tumors. Doctors found four very small brain tumors after having an MRI in Florida on Friday.

Carter will find out more about the tumors this Thursday. He is scheduled to travel to the Duke Medical Center to be examined again.

"My wife, Sandy, and our children and family thank you for your thoughts and prayers," Carter said in a release issued Saturday by the New York Mets and baseball's Hall of Fame. "We ask that you please respect our privacy as we learn more about my medical condition."
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Edwards wins the Spring All-Star race, then wrecks his car

By Anthony Caruso III

Carl Edwards has become a million dollars richer.

Edwards won the $1.2 million dollar Sprint All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Edwards beat out Kyle Busch for the victory.

Edwards won three segments in the race. He missed out on sweeping all four segments.

After the race, Edwards wrecked his car. He apparently hit a manhole over a drainage area, which messed up the front end of his car.

"You never know what comes from misfortunes and it was definitely unfortunate," Edwards said. "Pretty wild twist of fate that we tore it up, but I'm going to have faith something good will come from it."

Shackleford wins the Preakness, holding off a late bid from Animal Kingdom

By Anthony Caruso III

There will not be a Triple Crown winner this year.

Shackleford ended the horsing communities hopes of seeing a Triple Crown. There has not been a Triple Crown since 1977 after Shackleford won the Preakness.

Late in the race, Shackleford had to hold off Animal Kingdom, the race favorite. Animal Kingdom was the race favorite after winning the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago.

Shackleford finished fourth in the Derby.

Leipheimer rides past Horner for State 7 win in California

By Anthony Caruso III

Levi Leipheimer outlasts his teammate.

Leipheimer claimed the seventh stage of the Tour of California on Saturday. The former three-time race winner rode past his RadioShack teammate Chris Horner with two miles left to take the win.

Horner finished second in the race. And he is expected to win the overall race title.

Horner had a 38-second lead over Leipheimer coming into the race. The race ends on Sunday with an 82.3-mile stage from Santa Clarita to Thousands Oaks.

Three days later, Dickerson cleared to return to the field

By Anthony Caruso III

Chris Dickerson has already been cleared to play.

It took three days for Dickerson,a New York Yankees back-up outfielder, to be cleared after suffering a concussion. Dickerson was hit in the head by a fastball that caused the concussion.

Dickerson had an impact test on Friday when he was examined by a neurologist. That same neurologist cleared him to play.

After being cleared by the doctor, those test results were sent to Major League Baseball. Major League Baseball had the final say on Dickerson’s clearance.

"I feel fine. Completely normal," Dickerson said Saturday.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Beck goes into camp as the Skins starting quarterback

By Anthony Caruso III

The Washington Redskins will go into camp with a starting quarterback in mind.

But it's not a veteran with a proven success record. It's John Beck, who is expected to enter training camp as the Redskins starting quarterback.

ESPN's Adam Schefter has stated that the Redskins did not draft a quarterback, because the team is high on Beck. They believe Beck is better than the quarterbacks that went in the first round of the draft.

Beck only has four career starts, and NO touchdown passes. He has completed 27 of his 48 attempts for 300 yards.

Baltimore Ravens assistant coach Cam Cameron gave up on Beck twice, once with the Miami Dolphins and again with the Ravens. Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan is Beck's lone backer right now.

Gallarraga is no longer a member of the D'Backs

By Anthony Caruso III

Armando Gallarraga thought he would find a new home in Arizona.

But now he no longer has a place with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The D'Backs has designated the pitcher for assignment.

Prior to the season, the Detroit Tigers traded Gallarraga to the D'Backs for minor leaguers for Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski. He was 3-4 with a 5.91 ERA in 8 starts.

The D'Backs could still be asked to pay his $2.3 million dollar salary this year.

Martinez returns to Fenway Park as a Tiger last night

By Anthony Caruso III

Victor Martinez has returned to Fenway Park.

The former Boston Red Sox catcher and first baseman returned as a member of the Detroit Tigers. Martinez was a member of the Red Sox for a year and a half after being traded by the Cleveland Indians to the Red Sox in 2009.

After the 2010 World Series, Martinez decided to sign with the Detroit Tigers. He signed a four year, $50 million contract with the Tigers.

Martinez saw some of his former teammates in a Spring Training game, but it was not the same as last night.

"You know what? To be honest with you, I don't think I did anything bad, anything wrong when my time was up there," said Martinez. "I'm just hoping that the fans know that it's part of baseball. You work all your life, you work so hard, and now you need to take care of your family, too. I'm just hoping they understand that. But we'll see what happens.

"Either way, nothing against them. There's no hard feelings against anybody. I have nothing but great things to say about the organization, the city, the fans. It was one of my great experiences in my big league career."

Melvin re-joins the D'Backs organization

By Anthony Caruso III

Bob Melvin is returning to the team he used to manage.

Melvin is returning to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a new role. His new role is as a special baseball advisor. He has to report to team President and CEO Derrick Hall.

Melvin will assist with the baseball and business operations. He has not been with a team since being fired by the D'Backs on May 8th, 2009. He interviewed for the Milwaukee Brewers jobs and the New York Mets job in recent years.

"Having the opportunity to do multiple things was one of the really intriguing aspects of this," said Melvin to MLB.com. "I talked with [managing general partner] Ken [Kendrick] and Derrick a couple of times, and it just seemed like a great fit for me. I have a lot of respect for both those guys, so it was an easy decision for me to make to come back."

Monday, May 16, 2011

Smith insists that he's not requested a trade to the Chargers or Raiders

By Anthony Caruso III

The Carolina Panthers insist Steve Smith has requested a trade.

However, the wide receiver claims that is not the case. There were rumors that he requested a traded to the San Diego Chargers or Oakland Raiders.

Smith recently spoke to the media about his situation with the Panthers. He says he did not request a trade despite the rumors.

"I have not demanded a trade," Smith said. "What I have asked for is to be in a competitive situation."

Cox to enter "not guilty" plea in court today

By Anthony Caruso III

Denver Broncos corner back Parrish Cox is expected to be in court today.

When he attends his court appearance, he is expected to enter a plea. At the hearing, he is expected to enter a "not guilty" plea.

Parrish has two very serious charges against him. He has been charged with one count of sexual assault while the victim was physically helpless and one count of sexual assault while the victim was incapable of determining the nature of the conduct.

If he is found guilty by a jury, he will face between two years and life in prison. He is currently free on $50,000 bail.

Edwards' DWI case will take place in July

By Anthony Caruso III

Braylon Edwards has more on his mind these days . . .

The New York Jets free agent wide receiver's court case is heading to trial. The case is in regards to his driving while intoxicated arrest.

The pre-trial hearings are scheduled to take place, starting July 22nd. Edwards was a no-show at the Manhattan Criminal Court for his required appearance earlier today.

His attorney was in court for Edwards earlier today. He told Judge Matthew Sciarriano, "We're always talking about possible resolutions to the case, but it's moving forward toward trial," Edwards' attorney, Peter Frankel, said.

The summer date for hearings was established to determine which evidence would be allowed in the case.

Bears to let Hanie and Enderle fight it out for the No. 2 QB position

By Anthony Caruso III

The Chicago Bears has their No. 1 quarterback position locked down.

Jay Cutler is the starting quarterback. But that hasn't stopped others to fight for the No. 2 quarterback position.

Once the lock out is settled, the Bears will do the fair thing and have both Nathan Enderle and Caleb Hanie battle for the No. 2 quarterback position. Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz has indicated that Enderle will compete with Hanie during training camp, because Enderle was not drafted to be a third-string quarterback.

When Cutler and Todd Collins went down with injuries, the Bears called on Hanie to finish the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.

Guenther steps down, leaving the Fighting Illini without an AD for now

By Anthony Caruso III

The University of Illinois has to find a new Athletic Director now.

Their current AD Ron Guenther has decided to retire once his contract expires. His contract expires on June 30th, 2011.

He is the longest-tenured AD in the Big Ten Conference after serving as the Illinois AD for 19-years. He saw the Fighting Illini win 39 Big Ten Championships during his tenure.

He also served on the BCS Football Committee, as a member of its Bowl Certification Committee for seven years. He was also a member of the NCAA Championships Cabinet.

"After giving considerable thought I have made the decision not to extend my contract as Athletic Director and will retire on July 1, 2011," Guenther said. "For the last several months, I have been working with Chancellor Easter and administration on a succession plan for my position. A search committee is being formed and will begin work immediately to find my successor. I am confident an outstanding leader can be in place by mid-to-late summer.

"The last 19 years have gone extremely fast and a decision to retire has been very difficult. I personally want to thank all the members of the DIA as well as our colleagues in the academic community for their support. I have been fortunate to work with an extremely talented and loyal group. I will always be indebted. Additionally, the Illinois fan base is the best in the nation. I've always said we are fortunate to have individuals who have great passion and loyalty for the University of Illinois."

Monday, May 9, 2011

Stingrays have been honored with the Military Support Business of the Year Award

By Anthony Caruso III

The South Carolina Stingrays have received the Military Support Business of the Year Award.

The Stingrays were recently honored with this award by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce during the Salute to the Military event at the North Charleston Convention Center. The event recognized the enlisted, reservists and civilian employees for their volunteer service to the community.

The Stingrays shared the honor with fellow South Carolina sports team, the Charleston RiverDogs. The RiverDogs are a Single-A baseball team.

The Stingrays played host to two military appreciation nights in partnership with Force Protection and dedicated a night to the United States Marine Corps during the 2010-11 season. More than 1,000 tickets were donated to the local military outlets for all three events.

The NFL to host a player development program for high school football players

By Anthony Caruso III

The NFL will be hosting an NFL High School Player Development program this spring and summer.

The NFL expects more than 30,000 high school football players will attend the events at a 150 sites in 36 states. The program will focus on character development, life skills and on-field techniques from May to August.

The program started in 2001 and has provided participants with a curriculum that focuses on inspiring excellence in the classroom, community, and on the field. The program is free to students, who would like to attend.

Each participant will be given an HSPD Student Planner, an initial NCAA eligibility requirements, and time management instructions. Other information will be posted on the HSPD website as www.nflyouthpd.com.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Bautista to miss several games with a neck injury

By Anthony Caruso III

The Toronto Blue Jays could be without their best player for a while.

The Blue Jays requested that Jose Bautista undergo an MRI on his neck today. The MRI showed no structural damage. However, it did show some inflammation.

"We've got to let that subside," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said.

The Blue Jays are expected to rest Bautista in the coming days, but will not be placed on the disabled list. He has only 9 home runs this year after being the reigning home run champion.

Liriano pitches a no-hitter for the Twins

By Anthony Caruso III

Francisco Liriano is perfect.

Liriano has threw a no-hitter on Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox. The Minnesota Twins, led by Liriano’s heroics, won the game 1-0.

It is the first no-hitter by the Twins since Eric Milton threw a no-hitter in 1999. Liriano wasn’t dominating in his no-hitter, because he walked six batters and struck out two in 9 innings.

This performance came out of nowhere, because Liriano came into the game with a 9.13 ERA with a 1.90 WHIP in 5 starts over 23 2/3 innings. Maybe this will give Liriano the boost he needs, because Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has insisted that Kevin Slowey would replace Liriano if he did not get back to form.

Leake will be bounced to the bullpen to make room in the rotation for Cueto

By Anthony Caruso III

Mike Leake ran into a bad situation.

Leake, who was arrested last month for stealing, is now about to lose his starting job at the big league level for the time being. Leake is expected to stay with the Reds, though.

Cincinnati Reds manager Dusty Baker has said that Leake will be moved to the bullpen. Leake’s move will make room in the starting rotation for Johnny Cueto, who is expected to return to the rotation in the coming days.

Leake is expected to start his new role next Monday in order to allow Cueto to start on Sunday. Leake pitched well coming this season, but allowed seven runs on seven hits and a walk over 3 2/3 innings Tuesday night.